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Dealing for 'D'

April 2, 2010 - Mike McLain

The Browns might have solved a need at cornerback without drafting Florida's Joe Haden.

The Philadelphia Eagles confirmed Friday a trade that sent 31-year-old cornerback Sheldon Brown to the Browns. The Browns also acquired linebacker Chris Gocong in the deal. The Eagles received linebacker Alex Hall and picks in the fourth and fifth rounds.

Brown is a qaulity player, but the Eagles refused his demands for a new contract last season. He didn't report for the team's voluntary offseason workouts, which set the wheels in motion for the trade.

Brown will immediately become a starter opposite Eric Wright. That could mean that the Browns won't select Haden, who's widely considered the top cornerback available.

If Haden isn't the pick, the Browns might consider Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain, the top linebacker in the draft. If Tennessee safety Eric Berry falls to the seventh spot, he easily could be the pick.

Gocong started for parts of thtee seasons on the outside, but he lost his starting job last season to rookie Moise Fokou. Gocong could be moved inside in the Browns' 3-4 defense, where he would compete with D'Qwell Jackson and Jason Trusnik for time.